Parking Garage Software & The NFL Playoffs

Last weekend was the beginning of the NFL playoff season. This weekend we're heading into another exciting round of football action. One thing about the NFL, it is a copy cat league. When one team shuts down a high-powered offense with a particular defensive scheme, the rest of the league applies that defense to that high-powered offense. I wonder if the same thing applies to Garage Parking Solutions across the nation and how they implement their parking garages.

Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to visit City & Campus Parking Solutions implemented all across the nation & here's what I've observed:

Parking Garages east of the Mississippi River typically have the Cashier in the exit lane
Parking Garages in the SouthWest United States typically have the Cashier centrally located in the garage
Parking Garages on the West Coast of the United States have the Cashier located as the parker is entering campus

As a result, it would seem that parkers in the SouthWest have adopted to Automated Pay on Foot machines better than those on the East Coast.

Am I all wet here or are all you parking professionals just a bunch of copy cats?

Comments for Parking Garage Software & The NFL Playoffs

Monday, February 1, 2010 by Michelle:: I read this message before, but didn't take the time to comment. However, in our ever changing parking world I have to say that I agree with your observation, Jason! Being one of those schools east of the Mississippi, I have seen the reluctance to "let go" of the traditional way of staffing exit lanes with cashiers. Although we do not have a garage, we do have a pay surface lot with gates which we are going to be looking at redesigning with potentially new hardware/software. I have observed much larger schools/lots who manage at least the same number of spaces with one pay on foot machine. As a consumer, I like the idea of being able to take care of my parking needs on my own, without waiting in line at a gate to pay a person who may or may not be having a good day! I say "out with the old, in with the new" and let's set a new precedent in the East. Have a booth to greet customers and give directions, but do away with the old cashiers in the exit lane. We shall see what happens here...